MARIJUANA EFFECT IS NOT GOOD

There is never a lack of people willing
to tell law enforcement officials how to do their jobs. On May 23,
columnist Jim Stingl suggested law enforcement misdirects its
resources and energy chasing after people growing marijuana ("Drug
policy chases weeds, misses needs"). I disagree. Enough marijuana was
seized to have a significant impact on the community, and the suspects
were allegedly engaged in other crimes, including theft of electricity
and money laundering.

Stingl suggests we look at medical marijuana, a leading cause of the
National Organization for Reforming Marijuana Law. Marijuana as a
painkiller has been extensively researched by the American Medical
Association and has been shown to be a poor substitute for other
prescribed pain medication.

If Stingl thinks marijuana is a good thing in the community, he should
come clean and not beat around the bush, er, plant. Medical
professionals and others accept marijuana as a gateway drug that often
leads to the use of cocaine and heroin. We have a drug problem in our
community, and it needs addressing with open, intelligent debate.

The neighborhoods that these marijuana grow-houses were located in
were not improved by their presence, the people who lived there did
not want a marijuana factory next door, we all will pay for the theft
of electricity, and this illegal enterprise and related money
laundering made a few people rich but deprived the community as a whole.

Congratulations to the officers and agencies responsible for the bust.
I hope they are not discouraged by people like Stingl, who know how we
could better spend our time.

Capt. Charles Wood

Waukesha County Metropolitan, Drug Unit Commander

North Prairie